Hell everyone! Just as a notice Harry Potter is not owned or originally created by me-but I'm playing in the sandbox here with characters that haven't really been touched upon, so let's get to it!

Mary MacDonald had every right to be annoyed. First off, all her life, Mary had had strange things happen. Usually this occurred whenever her emotions were high. Extremely happy? Cute little animals gathered around. Surprised? Where the heck did that lightning come from? Angry? Let there be attacks from the birds! Sad? Oh look, here comes rain from no clouds. Jealous? That girl just peed her pants! Mary had never asked for such things to occur, and she had even helped the one girl cover up the pee spot. Because Mary had always been a very nice girl and nice girls always felt bad for doing something mean (well most of the time).

Secondly, was the result of all these strange happenings. Her parents had noticed that whenever her emotions were strong, these types of things would occur. Now, keep in mind Mary's family were very loving, but they decided to go the Frozen route (despite it not being out or even thought of yet) and taught Mary to control her emotions. Basically, Mary had been the calmest, most distant person in her school. Which was why it was so very annoying to know that all those years she did not, in fact, have to keep her emotions 'hidden'.

Thirdly was the fact that Mary was a bit disorientated finding out about magic; that she could channel it through a flick of the wand. Perhaps it was the fact that Mary would be able to learn things her family never could, or perhaps it was the fact that Mary resented what they had put her through that made her so very happy to leave home behind.

The most annoying thing about this though, was that no one would tell her what on high heavens was going on!

Around 140 first years were waiting to be sorted, or so Mary guessed because the Ministry official that had given her the Hogwarts letter had said there were around 1000 students in the school and 1000/7 was around 143 students in each year. Or so Mrs. MacDonald had told her. But when asked how they would be sorted, the ministry official had given an amused smile and quickly left. So Mary was understandably confused and a little nervous. All the older students had ignored her questionings. But that might have been because she had been stumbling over her words.

Mary was, by nature, a very shy person and had always felt she was intruding upon another when talking to them first. But now, if anyone got her in just the right mood, she'd gladly give a snarky retort.

"Students!" A young looking woman stepped into the hallway, a slight smile gracing her lips. Black hair was tied up in a tight bun at the base of her neck and her stern green eyes peered out of rectangular glasses, glancing over the group. Mary thought her long high-waist black skirt with three golden buttons on the front and the long, loose sleeved blouse looked very muggle.

The students hushed immediately.

"I am Professor McGonagall, the Transfiguration teacher and Head of Gryffindor house. For all of you who have not heard, there are four houses. Gryffindor, commonly known as the house for boldness and chivalry. Slytherin, known for their ambition and resourcefulness. RavenClaw, the house for creativity and those seeking knowledge. HufflePuff, for those who are loyal, true, and hardworking. Here at Hogwarts you will find that that your house, is like your home. You will share dorms with some, eat with them, be in classes together and befriend them.

"It should be known that there will be rules. There will be no magic used in the halls- you will not use harmful or potentially harmful magic on any other student. There will be no toleration of sneaking around at night and most certainly no sneaking out of the school. Everyone will be expected to be in their Common Rooms by ten o' clock at night. Unless of course you are a prefect or Head boy or Head girl. Which none of you are seeing as this is your first year.

"If any rules are broken, house points will be taken away based on how bad your actions were. Likewise, if a teacher feels you are being particularly good, they will grant points to your house. At the end of each school year, points will be added up and a House will be given the House Cup. A great honor to have."

She peered at them all in silence, then, "I expect you all to look presentable when I return. Please remain here."

And then she turned on her heel and left them alone. Mary could see several others attempt to straighten out ties or hair. One particular boy tried very hard to flatten his but it just wouldn't stay tamed. The boy and girl next to him laughed themselves silly.

Professor McGonagall returned and led them all into a cavernous hall.

"Whoa, look at the ceiling," a student said. Mary looked up and gasped in delight. That was the most beautiful ceiling she'd ever seen. It showed the night sky from outside.

"Beautiful," she whispered.

"It's not that impressive." Looking to her right, she saw one of the boys from before glancing at her from the corner of his eyes. Mary blushed and looked away.

"The sorting will now proceed." McGonagall placed a dusty old hat on a three legged stool and stepped to the side. Whispers went around the hall and Mary noticed there were four tables. Each with a different color. Red and gold, silver and green, blue and bronze, yellow and black. The Lion, Snake, Raven, and Badger. Mary was thinking she'd like to be a HufflePuff.

"Welcome students new and Old,

To Hogwarts the old and sturdy

Where past meets present in these walls

And Magic grows and studies.

Young students will be taught,

Four important lessons,

Though you will choose to believe,

That only one is right.

For the strong Gryffindors,

Bravery is most wise.

For the seeing Slytherins,

Ambition will be key.

For sturdy Hufflepuffs,

Loyalty will prevail.

For knowing Ravenclaws,

The mind must be open!

So remember what I say!

All must learn of these traits,

So don't thee dare forget them!

Or you shall find yourself lost beyond all cause.

Yes, yes.

Welcome students new and Old,

The winds of change are changing.

Remember to stand as sturdy and tall,

As those who came before."

The hat fell silent and students clapped loudly, but Mary shivered. She wondered who would be the ones lost beyond all cause.

"Abonne, Cashlin!"

And so the sorting began. Cashlin was sorted into Ravenclaw.

A few minutes pass before silence fell across the hall as the name "Black, Sirius" was called. This was the boy who had spoken to her. He strode up the aisle and sat himself on the stool. The mouth of the hat almost immediately opened before pausing. A minute passed and then another. Just as it was about to become a hatstall, the hat called out-

"Gryffindor!"

No one made a noise. Sirius raised his chin and walked over to the red table. A boy from within the other first years started clapping and shouting happily. This seemed to counter the spell on everyone else, and the red and gold table began cheering.

Mary didn't understand what the big deal was.

After a long while of waiting, her name was finally called- "MacDonald, Mary!"

Ah, now what do we have here.

Mary jumped and through the dimmed noises, she could hear people laughing. She blushed, both from embarrassment and anger. It wasn't her fault no one told her what was going on. Maybe if the people of this world actually cared about those who didn't grow up knowing about it-

You've got a bit of fire in you, yes? But where to put you? That is the question.

'I like the sound of Hufflepuff.'

Indeed, you would do well there. But I see Gryffindor as a possibility.

'Maybe so, but I don't have much bravery. Though, it does sound nice, I hear they're all very protective of each other…When it comes down to it.'

Hm, perhaps you would like to choose, Ms. MacDonald?

'I can do that?'

Why of course you can! It doesn't very often happen, but there are…occurrences, the hat sounded amused by his thoughts.

'How come you're letting me?' Mary narrowed her eyes, she felt something was off about this.

Sharp too, maybe Ravenclaw? But no, no. It's either Hufflepuff or Gryffindor. To answer the question, dear, I would have to reveal some secrets of my own. From back when Godric Gryffindor made me. Your future will be determined by your house.

Mary shifted the hat up a little, just so she could see the houses. People gasped in shock.

"Not very smart is she?" some Slytherin boy muttered. Mary glanced in that direction.

'Is Raveclaw still an option?'

No

'Hmm,' then Mary meet the gaze of that overly rude and loud, green clad boy. His eyebrows furrowed and Mary narrowed her gaze, hands folding into a fist.

Right then, the hat laughed. Better be-

"Gryffindor!"

The amount of shock on that boy's face made Mary smirk and walk confidently to her new cheering and whistling table. Hopefully future friends.

"I like what you did there," said the silver eyed boy grinning madly.

"Uh-w-what?" Oh very nice Mary, she scolded herself.

The boy raised his eyebrows, "Looking at the snakes and declaring yourself their enemy."

"I did not do that!" Mary was shocked. She had heard of the rivalry between the Lions and Snakes but she didn't think they went as far as openly declaring each other enemies. "I just didn't like how that boy was speaking. It was rude and unnecessary…"

Finally realizing how many people were staring at her, she squeaked and hid her face in her robes. A student next to her shifted and a hand was placed on her shoulder.

"I thought what you did was very neat," the voice was feminine. Glancing up just the slightest, Mary first saw the dark red curly hair. Then she saw the most emerald green eyes she'd ever seen staring happily at her. "I don't really get why the two houses hate each other. It all seems like a bunch of bull, excuse my language, but that boy shouldn't have said it in the first place." The red head laughed. "You showed him up and it was amazing. My name is Lily Evans."

The shy girl took her hand, giving it a nice shake. "Mary Macdonald, nice to meet you."

"You're quite shy, aren't you?" whispered a girl that was sorted nearly right after her, resulting in Mary's blush.

"McKinnon," scolded Sirius Black, "You're supposed to introduce yourself and all your house's titles."

"Shut up, Black." Mary shared a confused glance with Lily, what were house titles? But they never a got a chance because a prefect had shushed them.

Dear Future Me,

Today was interesting- No. Mary shook her head. It was nearly midnight and the other two girls in her dorm were asleep. But Mary still had one of the candles on and was hoping to finish at least a page of thoughts in her book before she herself went to sleep. It wasn't like they had a full day of school tomorrow anyway, though it was a Thursday. She crossed out the first two lines and began to write again.

Dear Whomever,

For me it stared three weeks before today. Well, technically anyway. That was the day my family discovered I was a witch. Mother and Father didn't know quite what to say and Matthew seemed…really amused? He was laughing a lot is all I know. I think it has something to do from when I was young, maybe an inside joke between him and our parents?

The Ministry official who gave me my letter took me to a place called Diagon Alley about a week later. IT was amazing! A little run down, but the stores were very interesting and I loved the colorfulness of Fortescues' Ice Cream place. We got my wand at a place named Ollivander's and the man himself was a little bit…well he just seemed a little touched in my opinion. But he was nice to me and that's all I think really matters.

My wand is a Pear wood with a Phoenix feather core around 9 ¾". I don't really know what it all means but I hope I'll learn about it. Wandlore seems fascinating…

I was sorted into Gryffindor, the house of the Brave. Which is what I would call Irony. I'm not brave at all! And I'm certainly not a Lion, like our house mascot. But what's done is done. Our rival house is Slytherin (snakes), I haven't met any personally, but everyone says they're a nasty bunch. Hopefully I won't start thinking like that until I meet a few! Even though there was that one boy…

When I first learned of the houses, I wanted to be a Hufflepuff (badgers), but even though it's been only one day, I like the two girls I'm rooming with for the next seven years. It doesn't seem like a lot but there are six other dorms for our grade, boy and girls.

Lily Evans is the first girl I met, oh you should see her! She's easily the most beautiful girl I've ever seen. Her hair is a fiery red and her eyes are an emerald green. I'm not kidding! She looks like something out of an Arthurian tale. But I'm pretty certain nobles back then didn't curse as much as she does…it doesn't even seem like she means to, it just slips out. It fits her personality well though, she's pretty outgoing. More so than me, but I'm trying to see if she's more outgoing than Marlene.

Marlene McKinnon is a pureblood, whatever that entails, and very loud. She has a really freckly face that I just want to poke and aww at, but I doubt she would appreciate it. I was staring at her during dinner and when she spotted me she just winked and said something to…James-I think- that made him glance at me and laugh. I don't think it was anything mean, but it certainly made me blush as red as Lily's hair!

Anyway classes start tomorrow, on the second, but it and the third will only be half days. I suppose the teachers thought it was too much of a hassle to only have two full days and then a weekend. But I like it this way. It eases us into the school year.

I'm getting sleepy, I'll only add a few more notes. Perhaps I should talk more about the teachers I saw, or the boys who sat near me at the table. They were loud and full of, I dunno, joy. Even though the one boy, Sirius, kept glancing nervously at the Slytherin table. Perhaps-

But Mary never finished her writing because her head hit the table with a small 'thud'. Just as the candle blew out.